Apparatus and method for a thermal management of a memory device

ABSTRACT

A system and method for thermal management of a memory device is described. In an embodiment, one or more thermal sensors sends a signal to a thermal control module indicating that a pre-determined temperature threshold for a memory device or devices has been reached. The thermal control module may then begin tracking memory thermals or initiate thermal management operations based on the signal and history of memory device temperatures over time.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/305,519 filed Dec. 16, 2005 entitled “APPARATUS AND METHOD FORTHERMAL MANAGEMENT OF A MEMORY DEVICE”.

FIELD

Embodiments of the invention relate generally to thermal managementsystems, and more specifically to thermal management of memory devices.

BACKGROUND

The memory data access rates required of memory devices is increasing ascomplex computer applications utilize increasingly powerful processors.

In some cases, applications such as games and user interfaces (UIs) canproduce more sustained bandwidth from the system processor andintegrated graphics and memory controller (GMCH) chipset, than can besupported by a system memory device over the range of ambientenvironmental temperatures.

Thermal constraints of modern memory devices play a prominent role inlimiting the maximum data access rates that memory device interfaces cancurrently support.

For Example, memory devices (such as Rambus, Single and Double Data-RateSDR, DDR, DDR2) may have limited thermal capabilities given theirpackages and design implementation practicalities, yet the actual memoryinterface on these devices can support increasingly higher data rates.Even with improvements in device geometry, the maximum thermal powerthat can be produced by these memory devices can exceed the packagecapabilities, in sustained throughput scenarios.

The thermal constraints of memory devices are an especially importantissue in mobile PC designs where ambient temperatures are not presumedfixed and a volume air-flow over memory devices may not be reliable.

Current solutions addressing thermal constraints in memory devicesattempt to infer the memory thermal power which correlates to the casingtemperature on the memory device. Throttling (e.g. applying a memoryaccess rate limits), and how-much throttling to apply to control thetemperature of the memory may be based upon inferential methods.

For example, “bandwidth counters” apply a bandwidth limit (e.g. byinserting low-energy wait-states into certain types of access cycles)when access burst patterns exceed a defined limit over a period of time.Other solutions include the “virtual temperature sensor” (VTS) whichinvolves inferring the temperature of a memory device through acorrelation between memory device power and memory device temperature.In this method, device power is a summation of energy per memory access,and the device current specification.

The uncertainty inherent in bandwidth counters and VTS as thermalmanagement methods for memory devices leads to poor data access rateperformance. There is merely a loose correlation between bandwidth andmemory device temperature. These solutions can require significantamounts of “guardbanding” (e.g. accounting for error, and inaccuracy) inorder to accommodate worst-case conditions when locating a targettemperature threshold, and applying memory access rate limits.Unfortunately, this “guardbanding” may cut into normal operatingperformance, and unnecessarily impact benchmark results.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example, and notby way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and inwhich like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of a computingsystem that may manage thermal constraints of a memory device;

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of a temperaturecontrol apparatus comprising elements used in memory device thermalmanagement;

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of a memory modulecomprising a thermal sensor;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a process for thermalmanagement of a memory device;

FIG. 5 s a flow diagram of an embodiment of a process for thermalmanagement of a memory device;

FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of a temperaturecontrol apparatus including elements used in memory device thermalmanagement;

FIG. 7 a is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of controllingmemory access rates of a memory device;

FIG. 7 b is a schematic of a circuit utilizing internal and externalthermal signals for thermal management;

FIG. 8 is a graph comparing data transfer performance for differentmethods of memory device thermal control.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A method and apparatus for thermal management of a memory device aredisclosed. In the following description, for purposes of explanation,numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, toone skilled in the art that the present invention can be practicedwithout these specific details.

In general, methods and apparatus are described for a thermal controlmodule having an input port that receives a signal from thermal sensor athermal control module to receive a signal indicating that one of aplurality of temperature thresholds associated with a memory device hasbeen reached. The thermal control module initiates a thermal managementoperation such as enabling fans, causing the memory device to undergo arefresh operation, limiting a memory access rate, etc. The sensorthermally couples to a memory device to measure an actual temperature ofthe memory device. The memory access rate limits to the memory devicemay be based on a signal derived from the measured temperature of thememory device.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an example computer system. In anembodiment, computer system 100 comprises a communication mechanism orbus 111 for communicating information, and an integrated circuitcomponent such as a main processing unit 112 coupled with bus 111 forprocessing information. The main processing unit 112 may consist of oneor more processor cores working together as a unit. Computer system 100may be a mobile device. Examples of mobile devices may be a laptopcomputer, a cell phone, a personal digital assistant, or other similardevice with on board processing power and wireless communicationsability that is powered by a battery.

Computer system 100 further comprises a random access memory (RAM) orother dynamic storage device 101 (referred to as main memory) coupled tobus 111 for storing information and instructions to be executed by mainprocessing unit 112. Main memory 104 also may be used for storingtemporary variables or other intermediate information during executionof instructions by main processing unit 112.

According to an embodiment, the computer system 100 includes aninitialization control module 129 for discovering a memory thermalsensor location and deriving thermal responses according to memorythermal characteristics. The computer system 100 may also include athermal control module 130 to apply a memory access rate limit responsebased on signals from a thermal sensor. Computer system 100 mayadditionally include a runtime control module 131 to provide dynamicthermal responses based on thermal sensor input during runtime ofcomputer system 100.

In an embodiment, initialization control module 129, thermal controlmodule 130, or runtime control module 131 reside in memory 104 andcontain processing logic for execution (e.g. BIOS or driver code) by theprocessor 112. In another embodiment, initialization control module 129,thermal control module 130, or runtime control module 131 containprocessing logic that comprises hardware such as circuitry, dedicatedlogic, programmable, logic, microcode, etc. In yet another embodiment,initialization control module 129, thermal control module 130, orruntime control module 131 contain processing logic that comprises acombination of software and hardware.

Some portions of the detailed descriptions that follow are presented interms of algorithms and symbolic representations of operations on databits within a computer system's registers or memory. These algorithmicdescriptions and representations are the means used by those skilled inthe data processing arts to most effectively convey the substance oftheir work to others skilled in the art. An algorithm is here, andgenerally, conceived to be a self-consistent sequence of operationsleading to a desired result. The operations are those requiring physicalmanipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not necessarily,these quantities take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capableof being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwisemanipulated. It has proven convenient at times, principally for reasonsof common usage, to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements,symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like.

It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar termsare to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and aremerely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unlessspecifically stated otherwise as apparent from the followingdiscussions, it is appreciated that throughout the present invention,discussions utilizing terms such as “processing” or “computing” or“calculating” or “determining” or the like, may refer to the action andprocesses of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device,that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical(electronic) quantities within the computer system's registers andmemories into other data similarly represented as physical quantitieswithin the computer-system memories or registers or other suchinformation storage, transmission or display devices.

Other embodiments of the present invention can be accomplished by way ofsoftware. For example, in some embodiments, the present invention may beprovided as a computer program product or software which may include amachine or computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructionswhich may be used to program a computer (or other electronic devices) toperform a process according to the present invention. In otherembodiments, processes of the present invention might be performed byspecific hardware components that contain hardwired logic for performingthe processes, or by any combination of programmed computer componentsand custom hardware components.

In the following detailed description of the embodiments, reference ismade to the accompanying drawings that show, by way of illustration,specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. In thedrawings, like numerals describe substantially similar componentsthroughout the several views. These embodiments are described insufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice theinvention. Other embodiments may be utilized and structural, logical,and electrical changes may be made without departing from the scope ofthe present invention. Moreover, it is to be understood that the variousembodiments of the invention, although different, are not necessarilymutually exclusive. For example, a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in an embodiment may be included within otherembodiments. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to betaken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention isdefined only by the appended claims, along with the full scope ofequivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Firmware 103 may be a combination of software and hardware, such asElectronically Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM) that has theoperations for the routine recorded on the EPROM. The firmware 103 mayembed foundation code, basic input/output system code (BIOS), or othersimilar code. The firmware 103 may make it possible for the computersystem 100 to boot itself.

Computer system 100 also comprises a read-only memory (ROM) and/or otherstatic storage device 106 coupled to bus 111 for storing staticinformation and instructions for main processing unit 112. The staticstorage device 106 may store OS level and application level software.

Computer system 100 may further be coupled to a display device 121, suchas a cathode ray tube (CRT) or liquid crystal display (LCD), coupled tobus 111 for displaying information to a computer user. A chipset mayinterface with the display device 121.

An alphanumeric input device (keyboard) 122, including alphanumeric andother keys, may also be coupled to bus 111 for communicating informationand command selections to main processing unit 112. An additional userinput device is cursor control device 123, such as a mouse, trackball,trackpad, stylus, or cursor direction keys, coupled to bus 111 forcommunicating direction information and command selections to mainprocessing unit 112, and for controlling cursor movement on a displaydevice 121. A chipset may interface with the input output devices.

Another device that may be coupled to bus 111 is a hard copy device 124,which may be used for printing instructions, data, or other informationon a medium such as paper, film, or similar types of media. Furthermore,a sound recording and playback device, such as a speaker and/ormicrophone (not shown) may optionally be coupled to bus 111 for audiointerfacing with computer system 100. Another device that may be coupledto bus 111 is a wireless communication module 125. The wirelesscommunication module 125 may employ a Wireless Application Protocol toestablish a wireless communication channel. The wireless communicationmodule 125 may implement a wireless networking standard such asInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11standard, IEEE std. 802.11-1999, published by IEEE in 1999.

In an embodiment, the software used to facilitate the routine can beembedded onto a machine-readable medium. A machine-readable mediumincludes any mechanism that provides (i.e., stores and/or transmits)information in a form accessible by a machine (e.g., a computer, networkdevice, personal digital assistant, manufacturing tool, any device witha set of one or more processors, etc.). For example, a machine-readablemedium includes recordable/non-recordable media (e.g., read only memory(ROM) including firmware; random access memory (RAM); magnetic diskstorage media; optical storage media; flash memory devices; etc.), aswell as electrical, optical, acoustical or other form of propagatedsignals (e.g., carrier waves, infrared signals, digital signals, etc.);etc.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating embodiments of a temperaturecontrol apparatus 200 to manage temperature of a memory device 203. InFIG. 2, a memory module 201 may contain memory device 203, thermalsensor, 202, and nonvolatile memory 204. Memory module 201 may be forexample a dual inline memory module (DIMM) or a small outline DIMM(SO-DIMM). Memory device 203 stores data and memory accesses areperformed via the memory bus 208 (e.g. read/write). Memory device 202may be volatile memory (e.g. dynamic random access memory (DRAM) such assynchronous DRAM (SDRAM), single data rate (SDR) double data ratesynchronous RAM (DDR2 SDRAM) or Rambus DRAM (RDRAM), static RAM (SRAM)),or nonvolatile memory (e.g., read only memory (ROM) such as flashmemory.

Upon sensing a temperature related to the memory device 203, thermalsensor 202 may issue a signal (e.g. hardware interrupt) to thermalcontrol module 205 via the signal connection 210. The signal mayindicate that a temperature threshold of the memory has been reached.

A temperature threshold may be for example a defined temperature ofinterest that is sensed by thermal sensor 202. Thermal sensor 202 may bea temperature sensor (i.e., thermal diode) having a digital to analogconverter (DAC) to provide selection of a temperature thresholdreference and notification that the temperature threshold has beenreached. The thermal sensor 202 may generate an incremental indicationof temperature as described above or an analog indication oftemperature. Either way, the signal generated by the thermal sensor 202is derived from the measured temperature of the memory device 203.Thermal sensor 202 may also include additional components such as a datastorage area (e.g. registers). Thermal control module 205 may be, forexample, circuitry which can be applied to limit overall memory accessthroughput on an overall or on a per channel basis.

When the thermal control module 205 receives the signal from the thermalsensor 221, thermal control module 205 may limit memory access rate formemory device accesses transferring across the memory bus 208.

Advantageous to managing the temperature of a memory device, desiredmemory access rate limits can be applied to a memory device based atleast in part on actual temperature readings taken in close proximity tothe memory device.

In another embodiment, initialization control module 206 may collectinformation via data bus 209 about thermal sensor's 202 location (e.g.location of the thermal sensor on the memory module) and the memorydevice's 203 thermal characteristics (e.g. temperature sensitivity,thermal constants, correlations between thermal sensor measurement andmemory device temperature) and use the information to computetemperature threshold values and memory access rate limits for thememory device 203.

The data bus 209 may be for example a low speed serial bus such assystem management bus (SMBus) as defined in System Management BusSpecification version 2.0 Aug. 3, 2000 by SBS implementers forum.Initialization control module 206 may be software, hardware, or somecombination of software and hardware.

In another embodiment, platform thermal characteristics such as thermalcharacteristics of the area surrounding the memory module 201 (e.g.direction of airflow over memory module and orientation of temperaturesensor relative to airflow and the cooling capacity of a mobile device)are also considered in the computation of the thermal threshold valuesand memory access rate limits for the memory device 203.

In an embodiment, thermal sensor's 202 location, memory device's 203thermal characteristics and/or platform characteristics may be retrievedvia data bus 209 from within a second memory device such as nonvolatilememory 204 (e.g. signal presence detect (SPD)) coupled to memory module201.

In an embodiment, the initialization control module 206 may infer thethermal characteristics from information in the SPD that describes thememory module 201 (e.g. how many memory devices 203 on the memory module201, memory devices 203 on one or both sides of memory module 201 and/orhow large (memory density in megabits) each memory device 203 is).

Once the initialization control module 206 has computed temperaturethreshold values for memory device 203, initialization control module206 may store the values within thermal sensor 202 via data bus 209.Initialization control module 206 may also store the computed memoryaccess rate limits for memory device 203 in thermal control module 205.

In operation, temperatures measured by thermal sensor 202 are comparedto threshold values stored within thermal sensor 202. When such atemperature value matches a stored threshold value, a thermal thresholdhas been reached. Thermal sensor 202 then sends a signal indicating thethermal threshold to thermal control module 205 via signal connection210. Thermal control module 205 in turn applies one of the memory accessrate limits via memory bus 208 to memory device 203 that corresponds tothe thermal threshold that was sensed by thermal sensor 202.

Advantageously, temperature control apparatus 200 may calibrate thermalresponses according to thermal characteristics of the memory device andits environment. When a temperature threshold value has been sensed,temperature control apparatus 200 may automatically adjust the memoryaccess rate limits to the memory device in order optimize performancewithin known thermal constraints.

FIG. 3 is a schematic of a memory module 300. As stated above, memorymodule 300 may be a circuit card such as a DIMM or SO-DIMM. Memorymodule 300 contains memory devices 302 a-302 n, additional memorydevices such as nonvolatile memories 303 a, 303 b and thermal sensors301 a-303 c. In an embodiment, thermal sensor 301 a may be embeddedwithin memory device 302 a. When thermal sensor 301 a is embedded inmemory device 302 a, thermal sensor may communicate with initializationcontrol module and runtime control module over memory bus instead ofdata bus. In another embodiment, thermal sensor 301 b may be embedded innonvolatile memory 303 b (e.g. an SPD of a SO-DIMM). In yet anotherembodiment, thermal sensor 301 c may be operable as a stand-alone deviceon memory module 300. As described above, the location of the thermalsensor 301 a, 301 b, 301 c may be stored in nonvolatile memory 303 aand/or 303 b (e.g. SPD) and retrieved by initialization control module206 for computation of temperature thresholds and memory access ratelimits for the memory device 203.

Referring again to FIG. 2, in another embodiment, runtime control modulemay 207 may configure thermal control module to forward temperaturethreshold indications for a number of temperature threshold values.Accordingly, runtime control module 207 may receive a signal (e.g.software interrupt) from thermal control module 205, indicating that atemperature threshold value has been reached. In particular, afterthermal sensor 202 senses that a temperature threshold of the memorydevice 203 has been reached, thermal sensor 202 may signal thermalcontrol module 205. In turn, thermal control module may then indicate(e.g. with a software interrupt) to runtime control module 207 that atemperature threshold of the memory device has been reached. Runtimecontrol module 207 may, in response to the signal from thermal controlmodule 205, enable at least one thermal management operation. In anembodiment, a thermal management operation may be for example includecollecting temperature data, realigning thermal thresholds, enablementof a fan to cool the components on memory module 201, causing memorydevice 203 to undergo a different speed of refresh operation (e.g.single refresh, double refresh, single self-refresh, doubleself-refresh), applying a memory access rate limit to the memory device,restricting all access to the memory device, shutting down the memorycontroller or devices, or any other action taken to manage memory device203 temperature.

In an embodiment, as a result of runtime control module 207 receiving asignal (e.g. software interrupt) from thermal control module 205indicating that a temperature threshold has been reached, runtimecontrol module 207 may read memory device 203 temperatures from thermalsensor 202.

In an embodiment, the runtime control module 207 may compute additionalmemory access rate limits based on temperature readings of the memorydevice 203 by the thermal sensor 202 over time. In other words, runtimecontrol module 207 may log temperature over time to generate historicaltrend information for use in computing memory access rate limits (e.g.to compute the proportional amount of control to apply based onevaluating a closed-loop feedback equation).

In an embodiment, if the runtime control module determines that a veryhigh or catastrophic temperature rise is likely to occur, is occurringor has occurred in the memory device, and may cause hardware or softwaredamage, runtime control module 207 may initiate a system shutdown.

In an embodiment, a dynamic memory (e.g. DDR SRAM) may require doublerefresh rate when memory device 203 temperature exceeds a threshold(e.g. 85 C) in order to maintain memory integrity. In this embodiment, arefresh operation may be any operation to restore charge to a memorycell.

In an embodiment, runtime control module 207 may inspect the temperatureof the memory device 203 by reading the output of thermal sensor 202. Ifthe temperature indicates that a temperature requirement for doubleself-refresh is met (e.g. temperature exceeds 85 C), runtime controlmodule 207 may cause memory device 203 to undergo a double self-refreshoperation. If however the temperature indicates that only singleself-refresh temperature requirements (e.g. temperature below 85 C) aremet then runtime control module 207 will cause memory device 203 toundergo a single self-refresh operation.

The self-refresh operations described above may be implemented invarious modes of memory module 201 operation. For example, thedetermination of whether single or double self-refresh should be appliedcan be made at boot up, resume, during normal operation, at thebeginning of transition between sleep states (e.g. S0 to S1), or whenthe device is in a suspended state.

In an embodiment, when a device goes into a suspended state, either asingle or double self-refresh rate is designated. In this embodiment,the signal from the thermal sensor may also cause the system to exit thesuspended state (e.g. by wiring the hardware interrupt to PME# wake-up)upon sensing a temperature threshold for the memory device 203. If thetemperature threshold exceeds the boundaries of an allowable window oftemperature threshold values, the system will wake up to check theactual temperature of memory device 203. In this embodiment, thermalsensor 202 signal (e.g. hardware interrupt) arrives at the thermalcontrol module 205. Thermal control module 205 then generates a signal(e.g. software interrupt) to runtime control module 207 which polls atemperature reading from the thermal sensor 202. If the temperature isabove a window of allowable temperatures (e.g. because of an increase inambient temperature), then runtime control module 207 may enable doubleself-refresh if single self-refresh had previously been in use. If thetemperature is below a window of temperatures then runtime controlmodule 207 may enable single self-refresh if double self-refresh hadpreviously been in use. The system then may be returned to the suspendedstate with optimized refresh rates.

Advantageously, temperature measurements by thermal sensor may be usedto prevent a double refresh operation from occurring when only a singlerefresh operation is needed to sustain memory integrity. Additionally,refresh rates may be increased to double self-refresh rates whenrequired to maintain system integrity.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a process 400 forcalibrating thermal response to memory device temperatures according tothermal sensor position and memory device thermal characteristics. Theprocess may be performed by processing logic that may comprise hardware(e.g., circuitry, dedicated logic, programmable logic, microcode, etc.),software (such as that run on a general purpose computer system or adedicated machine), or a combination of both. In an embodiment, process400 is performed by an initialization control module 206 of FIG. 2.

In FIG. 4, process 400 starts with processing logic retrieving thelocation of a thermal sensor within a memory module (processing block401). The sequence continues when processing logic retrieves at leastone thermal characteristic of a memory device within the memory module(processing block 402).

With the information retrieved in processing blocks 401 and 402,processing logic may then compute temperature threshold values for thememory device (processing block 403) and memory access rate limits forthe memory device (processing block 405). Each memory access rate maycorrespond to a temperature threshold value. In other words, for a giventemperature threshold value, there may be an associated maximum memoryaccess rate.

In addition to making computations, processing logic may causetemperature threshold values to be stored in the thermal sensor(processing block 404) and memory access rate limits to be stored inthermal control module (processing block 406).

Advantageously, following the discovery process described in FIG. 4,thermal management operations (e.g. applying a memory access rate limit)may be applied to manage the temperature of the memory device based on aparticular thermal environment.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a process 500 for applyingthermal management operations based on a memory device having reached atemperature threshold. In an embodiment, process 500 is performed by aruntime control module 207 of FIG. 2.

Process 500 begins with processing logic receiving a signal from athermal control module indicating that a temperature threshold of thememory device has been sensed (processing block 501).

In order to receive this signal, runtime control module may configurethermal control module to issue a signal (e.g. a software interrupt) tothe runtime control module when the thermal control module receives asignal from the thermal sensor indicating that a temperature thresholdhas been reached.

Processing logic may, as a result of receiving a signal from the thermalcontrol module, cause a thermal management operation to occur(processing block 502)

As described above a thermal management operation may be for exampleenablement of a fan to cool the components on memory module 201, causingmemory device 203 to undergo a refresh operation, applying a memoryaccess rate limit to the memory device, restricting all access to thememory device, shutting down, or any other action in an attempt tomanage memory device 203 temperature.

Process 500 continues when processing logic, in response to the signalfrom the thermal control module, retrieves a plurality of temperaturemeasurements of the memory device from the thermal sensor (processingblock 503).

Processing logic may then compute memory access rate limits for thememory device based on memory device temperature measurements over time(processing block 504).

Advantageously, temperature feedback supplied by the thermal sensor maybe used by processing logic (e.g. runtime control module) to applythermal management operations that are appropriate for current thermalconditions. In an embodiment, closed loop feedback control may beapplied to dynamically derive a proportional memory access rate limitfor the memory device in order to optimize its performance consideringmemory device's thermal constraints.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a thermal sensor and temperature thresholdcircuit. This embodiment includes GMCH 603 which interfaces withSO-DIMMs 602 a and 602 b through memory channels 606 a and 606 b. Thememory interface to GMCH 603 may include one or more throttles which maybe applied to limit overall memory access throughput on an overall or aper-channel basis. In an embodiment SO-DIMMs 602 a and 602 b containmemory devices (not shown) and are attached to memory channels 606 a and606 b through connector slots on a board. SO-DIMMs 602 a and 602 b alsocontain SPDs which in this embodiment contain thermal sensors 601 a and602 b. In this embodiment, SPDs also contain information about eachthermal sensor 601 a and 601 b and memory device.

For example, SPD may contain the thermal sensitivity of the memorydevices, the presence of any heat spreader or heat sink on the SO-DIMM,the temperature offset from sensor to memory device's heat sensitivity,the location of the thermal sensor on the SO-DIMM (e.g. top, bottom,left or right), the temperature per watt relationship between thethermal sensor and the memory device thermal sensitivity, and thermaltime constant defined as the time taken to rise to 63.2% or drop to36.8% of the difference between initial and final temperature.

Thermals sensors 601 a and 601 b are located on SO-DIMMs 602 a and 602 bmay be interfaced with SMBus 605 which connects to input/outputcontroller hub (ICH) 604. In an embodiment, outputs from thermal sensors601 a and 601 b connect to GMCH 603 via pins 608 and 609 of the edgeconnectors for SO-DIMMs 602 a and 602 b. In an embodiment, by using anopen drain active low signal, a per board single signal pin may beconnected to multiple devices, or between multiple boards, producing onesignal to GMCH 603.

Referring to FIG. 6, during boot up or resume, initialization controlmodule 611 may probe SPD via SMBus 605 for information about eachthermal sensor 601 a and 601 b and memory device 601 a and 601 b storedwithin the SPD.

Additionally, the system firmware may contain information that may beused to modify temperatures measured by the thermal sensors 601 a and601 b. (e.g direction of the air flow over the SO-DIMM 602 a and 602 bwhen the fan is on, whether top facing thermal sensor is facing air flowor is located under SO-DIMM 602 a and 602 b (e.g. because a SO-DIMM isinserted upside-down).

Initialization control module 611 may then probe the SPD and thermalsensor 601 a and 601 b location within SMBus 605 slave address range andverify the version and capabilities of the thermal sensor 601 a and 601b interface. Initialization control module 611 may also check to see iftemperature thresholds are already set and locked in the thermal sensor601 a and 601 b.

In this embodiment, initialization control module 611 then uses theinformation about the thermal sensors 601 a and 601 b and memory devices601 a and 601 b to compute a hierarchy of temperature thresholds for thememory devices in order of ascending priority (e.g. alarm and criticaltrip points).

Initialization control module 611 may then store the computedtemperature thresholds to the registers of the thermal sensors 601 a and601 b. Locks bits may be used to prevent subsequent modification of thetemperature threshold values in the registers of the thermal sensoruntil a power cycle or reset occurs.

Initialization control module 611 may then configure GMCH 603 (e.g.thermal control module) to throttle a memory device according tocomputed throttling rates when GMCH 603 (e.g. thermal control module)receives a trip (e.g. temperature threshold) signal from either thermalsensor 601 a or 601 b. In an embodiment, registers of GMCH 603 (e.g.thermal control module) may be locked to prevent modification ofthrottles (e.g. memory access rate limit) or trip points (e.gtemperature threshold values).

In operation of this embodiment, when thermal sensor 601 a or 601 bdetermines that the temperature of a memory device on SO-DIMM 602 a or602 b has reached a temperature threshold value stored in the thermalsensor 601 a or 601 b registers, thermal sensor 601 a or 601 b thensignals GMCH 603 (e.g. thermal control module) over pins 608 or 609.GMCH (e.g. thermal control module) then applies to the memorycorresponding to the source of the hardware interrupt one or morepre-programmed hardware responses such as throttling the memory orshutdown.

Runtime control module 612 may program thermal sensors 601 a and 601 bto signal GMCH 603 (e.g. thermal control module) upon sensing additionalspecific or targeted temperatures (e.g. temperature thresholds). Runtimecontrol module 612 may also cause GMCH 603 (e.g. thermal control module)to issue software interrupts to runtime control module 612 uponreceiving temperature threshold signals from either thermal sensor 601 aor 601 b.

As stated above, a per board single signal pin may be connected tomultiple devices, or between multiple boards, producing one signal toGMCH 603. Runtime control module 612 determines the thermal sensor 601 aor 601 b from which a signal originated. During operation, runtimecontrol module 612 may first determine that a thermal sensor 601 a or601 b was the underlying cause of the software interrupt. Second,runtime control module 612 may then enumerate each of the thermalsensors 601 a and 601 b and determine which trip (e.g. temperaturethreshold) caused the event. Third, runtime control module 612 mayinterrogate the particular thermal sensor 601 a or 601 b to determinewhich particular trip (e.g. temperature threshold) caused the interrupt.

If a high-temperature trip is involved, runtime control module 612 maychoose to enable fans, enable throttling on the memory device or onother device, enable memory double self-refresh mode or other suchactions. Runtime control module 612 may note the temperature, logging itfor future comparison and in order to generate historical trendinformation (integral, differential) e.g to compute the amount ofcontrol to apply to existing memory access rate limit based onevaluating a closed-loop feedback equation. If a very high orcatastrophic temperature rise was occurring which could cause hardwareor software damage, runtime control module 612 may initiate a systemshutdown.

FIG. 7 a is a block diagram of a thermal sensor signal 701 combined withan inferred throttle control signal 702 to control memory access ratelimits of a memory device with a memory throttle response 704. Aninferred throttle control signal 702 may be, for example, based on aninferred temperature (e.g. where temperature used for calculatingthrottle is based less upon direct measurement than the thermal sensordescribed herein).Advantageously, this embodiment combines differentmethods of providing temperature control for a memory device.

FIG. 7 b is a schematic of a circuit utilizing internal and externalthermal signals for thermal management. In an embodiment, input fromthermal sensor 705 may also be used in concert with internal hot tripsignal 706 to generate software interrupts for a management process 707(e.g. system management interrupt (SMI), peripheral connection interrupt(PCI), advanced configuration and power interface (ACPI) interrupt).Thermal sensor input may also be along with inferred throttle signal 709to control read throttling 708 for a memory device.

FIG. 8 is a graph comparing data transfer performance for differentmethods of measuring the temperature of a memory device.

Memory bandwidth directly impacts system and data rate performance.Minimizing the amount of guardband (e.g. accounting for error) necessarywhen applying a thermal throttling response to temperature conditions iscritical for achieving full capability of a memory device and componentsinteracting with a memory device.

In the benchmark analysis, applications have been run on A) Unthrottledsystems, B) systems using Thermal Sensor based throttling, C) FixedBandwidth based throttling. The diagram shows that the performance ofthe temperature sensor controlled system retains highest performance ofthe two thermal management options relative to the unthrottled behavior,noting that the unthrottled configuration is not thermally viable.

Advantageously, embodiments described herein allow for reducedguardbanding compared to prior art, and thus, improved data rateperformance. Additionally, thermal management operations may beoptimized based on direct temperature readings of a memory device by athermal sensor. Embodiments involving a thermal sensor's measurement ofmemory device temperature allow calculation of temperature thresholdsand memory access rate limits that yield better data rate performanceover prior art. Embodiments describe the use of actual thermal sensorsassociated with the memory device, and direct hardware control ofchipset memory throttles through thermal sensor signaling.

Thus, a method and apparatus for thermal management in a memory devicehas been described. It is to be understood that the above description isintended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many other embodimentswill be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading andunderstanding the above description. The scope of the invention should,therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, alongwith the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

1. An apparatus comprising: a thermal control module having an inputport to receive a signal indicating that one of a plurality oftemperature thresholds associated with a memory device has been reachedfrom a thermal sensor, wherein the thermal control module to initiate athermal management operation based on the signal and the thermal sensorthermally couples to the memory device to measure a temperature of thememory device.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: aninitialization control module to receive a location of the thermalsensor and a thermal characteristics of the memory device, wherein theinitialization control module to compute at least one of the pluralityof temperature thresholds for the memory device and to compute at leastone of a plurality of memory access rate limits for the memory devicebased on the location of the thermal sensor and the thermalcharacteristics of the memory device.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2,wherein a location of the thermal sensor is selected from the groupconsisting of a memory module containing the memory device with thethermal sensor as a stand alone device, inside a second memory on thememory module, and inside the memory device itself.
 4. The apparatus ofclaim 2, wherein the initialization control module to store at least oneof the plurality of temperature thresholds for the memory device withinthe thermal sensor and the initialization control module to store atleast one of the plurality of memory access rate limits for the memorydevice within the thermal control module, and the thermal control moduleto apply one of the plurality of memory access rate limits to the memorydevice based on the signal indicating that one of a plurality oftemperature thresholds of the memory device has been reached.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 2, wherein the initialization control module toretrieve the location of the thermal sensor and the thermalcharacteristics of the memory device from a second memory device.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a runtime control module toreceive a signal from the thermal control module indicating that atleast one of the plurality of temperature thresholds of the memorydevice has been reached.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein theruntime control module to enable at least one thermal managementoperation based on the signal from the thermal control module indicatingthat at least one of the plurality of temperature thresholds of thememory device has been reached.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein atleast one thermal management operation is selected from the group ofcollecting temperature data, realigning thermal thresholds, enablingfans, causing the use of a different memory refresh operation speed toor within a memory device, limiting one of the plurality of memoryaccess rate limits to the memory device, and shutting down the memorycontroller or the memory device.
 9. The apparatus of claim 6, whereinthe thermal control module responsive to the signal to cause the runtimecontrol module to retrieve a plurality of temperature readings of thememory device over time, from the thermal sensor; and the runtimecontrol module to compute and apply one of a plurality of memory accessrate limits for the memory device, based on the plurality of temperaturereadings of the memory device over time, from the thermal sensor.
 10. Amethod comprising: retrieving a location of a thermal sensor within amemory module; retrieving a thermal characteristic of a memory devicewithin the memory module; computing at least one temperature thresholdvalue for the memory device based on the location and the thermalcharacteristic; and computing at least a first memory access rate limitfor the memory device corresponding to the temperature threshold value.11. The method of claim 10 further comprising: causing the at least onetemperature threshold value for the memory device to be stored withinthe thermal sensor; and causing the at least first access rate for thememory device to be stored within a thermal control module.
 12. Themethod of claim 10 further comprising: retrieving a plurality oftemperature measurements of the memory device over time from the thermalsensor; computing at least a second memory access rate limit for thememory device based on the plurality of temperature measurements; andapplying the at least second memory access rate limit to the memorydevice.
 13. The method of claim 11 wherein: the determining of thememory device temperature from the thermal sensor is made in response toa signal from a thermal control module indicating that the at least onetemperature threshold value has been sensed.
 14. A system comprising: athermal sensor thermally coupled to a memory device to issue a signalindicating that a temperature threshold of the memory device has beenreached; a thermal control module to receive the signal indicating thatthe temperature threshold of a memory device has been reached, and toinitiate a thermal management operation based on the signal; and a powersupply to power the memory device and the thermal sensor.
 15. The systemof claim 14 further comprising: an initialization control module toreceive a location of the thermal sensor and thermal characteristics ofthe memory device, and to compute the temperature threshold for thememory device, and to compute a first memory access rate limit for thememory device, based on the location of the thermal sensor and thethermal characteristics of the memory device.
 16. The system of claim14, wherein a location of the thermal sensor is selected from the groupconsisting of a memory module containing the memory device with thethermal sensor as a stand alone device, inside a second memory on thememory module, and inside the memory device itself.
 17. The system ofclaim 14, wherein the initialization control module to store thetemperature threshold for the memory device within the thermal sensor,and to store the first memory access rate limit for the memory devicewithin the thermal control module; and the thermal control module toapply the rate limit to the memory device based on the signal indicatingthat the temperature threshold of the memory device has been reached.18. The system of claim 14, wherein the initialization control module toretrieve the location of the thermal sensor and the thermalcharacteristics of the memory device from within a second memory device.19. The system of claim 14 further comprising: a runtime control moduleto receive a signal from the thermal control module indicating that thetemperature thresholds of the memory device has been reached.
 20. Thesystem of claim 18, wherein the runtime control module to enable athermal management operation based on the signal from the thermalcontrol module indicating that the temperature threshold of the memorydevice has been reached.